Book description
Food has a fundamental position in society, ensuring health, happiness
and political stability. Consequently, the management of food chains and
networks is one of the most important aspects of the modern food
industry. Yet food is difficult to handle along long supply chains, with
a limited window for storage and handling time, and the risk of spoiling
if incorrectly handled or processed. These issues can lead to logistical
problems that can severely affect product quality and freshness.
Intelligent Agrifood Chains and Networks offers a timely
discussion of the current state of food logistics, and indicates the
major ICT problems that can occur during production, warehousing,
transportation and retailing. Emphasis is given to new technologies
and intelligent systems that are able to process time-dependent
information, handle emergencies, and support logistics operations in
food management. In particular, the authors show how telematics and
RFID can be implemented in the supply chain. The book also includes
real-life case studies, in which actual food logistics problems and
their solutions are presented, demonstrating how systemic and
logistics approaches may be combined.
The book is directed at academics, researchers, and students seeking
the necessary background in terms of the interplay between the food
supply chain and ICT. Its comprehensive review of current issues in
the food supply chain will be of interest to managers and technicians
working in the food industry, while its technological focus will be
invaluable to food scientists and technologists working in research
and industry environments.
Michael Bourlakis
is Professor in Marketing and Head of the Marketing and Supply Chain
Management Group at Kent Business School, University of Kent,
Canterbury, Kent, UK.
Ilias Vlachos is Assistant Professor in the Department of
Agricultural Economics & Rural Development at the Agricultural
University of Athens, Greece.
Vasileios Zeimpekis is Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of
Financial & Management Engineering at the University of the
Aegean, Chios, Greece.
